Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-21

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

21 NOVEMBER

2001Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO U.S. LOGOGLU SPEAKS TO DEFENSE NEWS -''TURKEY REVIEWS ITS ATTITUDE IF IT IS PROVED THAT IRAQ STOOD BEHIND TERRORIST EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11''

[03] USD 2 BILLION EXTERNAL BORROWING TO SUFFICE TURKEY NEXT YEAR

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER: ''WE SHOULD DO LEGAL CHANGES WHICH ARE IN PARALLEL TO CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES''

[05] MEDITT 2001 FAIR OPENS IN ANTALYA

[06] TURKEY INTENSIFIES CONTACTS REGARDING NEW ADMINISTRATION IN AFGHANISTAN

[07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM'S PROPOSAL FOR AN EU-OIC DIALOGUE NOTIFIED TO CONCERNED COUNTRIES

[08] AK PARTY LEADER ERDOGAN: ''GOVERNMENT LOSES GROUNDS NOT ONLY IN ITS RELATIONS WITH THE IMF BUT ALSO IN ALL INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS''

[09] HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT OF IHD -IHD CHAIRMAN ONDUL: ''762 PEOPLE MET TORTURE AND HUMILIATING TREATMENTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2001''

[10] DENKTAS-CLERIDES MEETING

[11] STATE MINISTER GUREL DUE IN THE NETHERLANDS TO ATTEND 6TH INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS CONFERENCE

[12] SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE THROUGHOUT TURKEY

[13] BRACKENBURRY SAYS NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY CAN RISE TO 20 MILLION

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZES GENERAL STAFF TO SEND TROOPS
The government assigned the General Staff with the issue of Turkey's participation in military operation in Afghanistan. The decree which gives the General Staff the authority about the number of soldiers, time of dispatch, period of these troops' stay and kind of participation was opened to signature at the Council of Ministers. Besides, the government issued another decree on use of Turkish airspace by the French warplanes within framework of the operation in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem gave the message during his contacts in New York to the international community that the prior condition of Turkey's sending troops is its having a leading role and part in the decision-making mechanism.

SPECIAL TEAM SAGET TO PROTECT STRAITS
The Coast Guard and Security Teams (SAGET) formed under structure of the Coast Guard Commandership will work for 24 hours a day at the Turkish Straits. SAGET will escort and protect tankers carrying LNG, LPG and fuel oil and protect facilities which have strategic importance. SAGET officially started their mission yesterday with a ceremony in which also Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen participated.

LEOPARD-1 TANKS TO BE MODERNIZED
Turkey took two important decisions on further improvement of the Turkish Armed Forces' capabilities of shooting, electorinc war and maneuver. German- product Leopard-1 tanks will be modernized by Aselsan while 80 F-16 warplanes will be equipped with electronic war systems.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

PRIME MINISTRY SEEKS DOCTORS FOR AFGHANISTAN
The Prime Ministry asked hospitals to make a list of doctors who can be sent abroad. In its ''emergency'' decree, the Prime Ministry requested especially gynecologists and pediatricians. Those doctors are expected to be sent to Afghanistan.

IS THERE NEED FOR REVISION IN THE ALPHABET?
A discussion started when author-journalist Haluk Sahin said, ''letters like w and x are widely used in Turkey although they are not in our alphabet. It is clear that we should do something. We must either include them in our alphabet or seek other formulas.'' Former minister Hikmet Ulugbay said the alphabet was composed of letters necessitated by a nation's parent language so there was no need to include w and x in the Turkish alphabet. Linguistics expert and author Ali Puskulluoglu said it was not so easy to include those letters in the alphabet as there were rules of writing and spelling. Meanwhile, former minister Koksal Toptan said the current 29 letters in the Turkish alphabet were not sufficient. Linguistics expert and author Necmiye Alpay said there could be revisions in the alphabet if there was necessity and that letters w and x took part in dictionaries.

WORLD BANK LOAN DELAYED
World Bank will give the 1.3 billion U.S. dollars of finance sector adjustment loan to Turkey in February of 2002 although it committed itself to give this loan to Turkey in December of 2001.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HE SPENDS 65 BILLION LIRAS ON HIS OFFICE
Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar spent 65 billion Turkish liras to renew his office despite savings measures. He said, ''ambassadors, ministers and foreign investors come here. Now, it becomes an office appropriate to Turkey's esteem. Besides, this is the property of the state.''

19 MILLION PEOPLE VISIT SHRINES EVERY YEAR
Religious Affairs Directorate General said almost 19 million people had visited 1,263 shrines in Turkey this year to hope for help from the bodies buried in those shrines. It stressed that such visits could not have any connection with Islam.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

U.S.'S PRE-SUPERVISION ON DRAFT
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson who visited State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu for Privatization observed the privatization bill which has not publicly announced yet. Pearson said, ''Turkey is going through a difficult period. But we hope that we will overcome this altogether.''

GOVERNMENT'S PACKAGE CONTRADICTION
It was revealed that the government which launched initiative for ''sua sponte retirement'' of 30 thousand people within framework of a 7.1 quadrillion Turkish liras of savings package, could not accept applications of even 5,800 people who wanted to retire as it ''did not have sufficient money''.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

CRITICAL SUMMIT AT GREENLINE
Eyes turned to meeting between Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Reuf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides. Clerides who accepted invitation to a face-to-face meeting gave Denktas appointment on December 4. The meeting will be held in the house of a U.N. official at greenline. Also U.N. Secretary General's Special Envoy Alvaro de Soto will attend the meeting, but he will only take notes.

TURKEY ACTS SLOWLY
Ankara acts slowly for Afghanistan. It was stated that France had entered Mazar-i Sharif which was wanted by Turkey. Italian battleships are on the way to Afghanistan while Jordan will be in Afghanistan two days later. Meanwhile, 'Ankara meeting' will be held in Germany.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TURKEY PARTICIPATES IN ''AFGHANISTAN MEETING'' IN WASHINGTON
A meeting on ''Restructuring of Afghanistan'' was held yesterday in Washington D.C. with the initiative of the United States and Japan. Turkey, Canada, Germany, Russia, Britain, Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, European Union, European Commission, Organization of Islamic Conference, United Nations, Asia Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank attended the meeting. What the next step can be in Afghanistan and what Afghanistan needs were discussed in the meeting.

MUSLIM COUNTRIES' AMBASSADORS ATTEND DINNER AT WHITEHOUSE
U.S. President George W. Bush hosted a dinner for ambassadors of Muslim countries. Ambassadors broke their fast at the dinner. Bush said that terrorism did not have religion.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

70 THOUSAND MUNICIPAL WORKERS CAN'T RECEIVE SALARY
Almost 70 thousand people working at 3,227 municipalities in Turkey who couldn't get salary for months, were not paid even in holy month of Ramadan.

[02] TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO U.S. LOGOGLU SPEAKS TO DEFENSE NEWS -''TURKEY REVIEWS ITS ATTITUDE IF IT IS PROVED THAT IRAQ STOOD BEHIND TERRORIST EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11''

Speaking to the Defense News, Logoglu said that Turkey wanted to bring the current relations with the United States to the level of ''strategic partnership''.

When asked what Turkey's attitude would be if the war waged by the United States on terrorism covered also Iraq, Logoglu said, ''we absolutely do not prefer spread of war to a neighboring country of Turkey. Arab world seriously feels concern about this. Such a development does negatively affect the Middle East peace process and destroy sensitive balances in the region. However, if concrete evidences which prove that Iraq stood behind the terrorist attacks of September 11 in the United States are put forward, Turkey does not ignore this situation. In such a situation, Turkey reviews its position.''

Recalling that Turkey was contributing to operation in Afghanistan, Logoglu said, ''we stand-by the international coalition and we are doing everything what is necessary in fight against terrorism. Also we suffered much from terrorism.''

When asked what Turkey's reaction would be if the European Union (EU) accepted Greek Cypriot side's membership with a unilateral decision despite Turkey's objection, Logoglu said, ''such a situation creates great pressure on relations between Turkey and the EU. Does it destroy these relations? I hope it would not, but Turkey absolutely reacts to such a decision which creates problems for not only Turkey, but also for the EU. However, I don't think that Turkey would give up its EU membership.''

[03] USD 2 BILLION EXTERNAL BORROWING TO SUFFICE TURKEY NEXT YEAR

Sources said on Wednesday that nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars of supplementary source planned to be obtained from the IMF caused next year's foreign borrowing requirement to reduce and that it was not necessary to exceed 2 billion U.S. dollars of borrowing next year.

Officials said that Turkey's foreign financing need in 2002 which was foreseen to be nearly 12 billion U.S. dollars at first stage would be met from supplementary source, external debt and foreign capital inflow, decreasing the domestic borrowing requirement and interest rates.

Meanwhile, sources said that Turkey's rating would be upgraded as a result of supplementary source flow and that Turkey would reduce next year's external debt cost while Turkey would issue bonds also at Samurai market in addition to bonds denominated in Euro and U.S. dollar.

Turkey this year issued 1.250 million Euro and 500 million U.S. dollars debenture bonds.

Sources said turkey was not planning to issue any more bonds at foreign markets by the end of the year.

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER: ''WE SHOULD DO LEGAL CHANGES WHICH ARE IN PARALLEL TO CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES''

President Sezer responded to the questions of reporters before meeting with Zoran Popovic, the Yugoslavian Federal Republic's Ambassador in Ankara.

When a journalist said, ''talks are underway in the Parliament today on Article 86 of the Constitution which you sent to referendum,'' and asked about his views, Sezer said, ''we will see the results.''

Responding to a question, ''you found the criticisms about the EU as objective. What are your views about the measures that should be taken to overcome those criticisms,'' Sezer said, ''we should do legal changes which are in parallel to the constitutional changes. We will overcome our deficiencies to abide by Copenhagen criteria.''

When a journalist said, ''there are criticisms made about Afghanistan. They are about why Turkey did not attend the meetings,'' Sezer asked, ''which meetings?''

The same journalist said, ''for example the meetings which the Afghan groups would make. Some countries sent soldiers. They said we have not sent yet.''

In response to this statement, Sezer said, ''What will Turkey do in meetings which the Afghan leaders or the ethnic groups would hold?''

[05] MEDITT 2001 FAIR OPENS IN ANTALYA

Tourism Investors Association (TYD) Chairman Tavit Koletavitoglu, who spoke at the fair's opening, said that tourism was the pulling force of 37 sectors and tourism, despite all the economic hardships of this year, met the expectations.

Drawing attention to alternative tourism methods which focus on culture, folklore and nature, he said ''Tourists now want to see new plances. They want to familiarize themselves with the culture, folklore and mountains of the country they are visiting.''

''Tourism organizations should not expect everything from the government but they should take initiative themselves. As the non-governmental organizations, we should produce projects, not only words,'' he said.

Antalya Governor Ertugrul Dokuzoglu said Turkey's modern, civilized, democratic and secular structure must be emphasized while promoting Turkish tourism.

The fair will stay open till Nov. 25.

[06] TURKEY INTENSIFIES CONTACTS REGARDING NEW ADMINISTRATION IN AFGHANISTAN

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and high level ministry officials have been briefing the participants of the meeting about Turkey's views to found a government which will be formed by all the ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz, said during a weekly press conference that Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin had had a series of contacts in Islamabad and Deputy Undersecretary Sencar Ozsoy was going to Tehran on Wednesday. He indicated that Foreign Ministry Afghanistan coordinator Aydemir Erman had completed his contacts in Berlin and added that General Director Turkekul Kurttekin and Turkish Ambassador Faruk Logoglu attended a meeting about restructuring of Afghanistan in Washington also on Wednesday. ''The common goal of all these contacts is to have consultations about the recent developments in Afghanistan. Turkey is being represented at these meetings at the highest level possible,'' he stated.

Dirioz said that the Afghanistan issue was a major topic also in Cem's contacts in New York.

Responding to a question about Turkey's sending soldiers to Afghanistan, Dirioz said that the situation in Afghanistan was rapidly changing, and therefore at the moment sending and distributing humanitarian aid was more important.

Noting that Afghanistan needed an international group of soldiers, Dirioz said ''We will reassess our military contributions as new needs emerge. We'll take the necessary measures after certain evaluations.''

Clarifying discussions about the formation of an international force, Dirioz said ''We had earlier declared that we were ready for such a contribution and role.''

Answering another question, Dirioz said there were activities underway to reopen Turkish Embassy and Consulate in Kabul and Mazar-i Sharif.

[07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM'S PROPOSAL FOR AN EU-OIC DIALOGUE NOTIFIED TO CONCERNED COUNTRIES

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz told the weekly press conference that the proposal was supported during the meeting of OIC in New York and the proposal was included in the final declaration.

The proposal drew the attention to the importance of common understanding, harmony and intercommunal peace for the solution of problems concering both the EU and OIC countries.

The proposal stressed the view that discussion of common issues, values and approaches in a political platform would be beneficial for everybody.

Besides foreign ministers of EU and OIC member countries, OIC Secretary General and representatives of Council of Europe (COE) and Arab League are foreseen to attend the meeting.

It is noted that the meeting planned to be held in Istanbul can be beneficial for taking steps to understand concerns and sensitivities of the countries and producing cooperation mechanisms.

Turkey also proposes to organize a second meeting in which academicians and intellectuals will participate.

The letter sent to the concerned countries also said that a pre-meeting should be held in Ankara in December 2001.

The letter also proposals the discussion of several isuses like policy and media, foundation of dialogue center, preparation of an acton plan which will eliminate political and cultural differences during the meeting in Istanbul.

[08] AK PARTY LEADER ERDOGAN: ''GOVERNMENT LOSES GROUNDS NOT ONLY IN ITS RELATIONS WITH THE IMF BUT ALSO IN ALL INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS''

Speaking at his party group meeting, Erdogan critized foreign policy of the government.

Pointing out that Turkey got 25 billion U.S. dollars from the IMF and the World Bank so far, and that this figure will increase to 40 billion U.S. dollars with the credit Turkey plans to obtain next year, Erdogan said, ''each time this money comes, we overjoyed forgetting that this money is a debt. It is the people who will pay those debts and interests.''

Mentioning the EU Progress Report, Erdogan said the government partners had different views about the report, noting that they wanted to give the public the image that developments in Turkey were praised in the report.

Erdogan said when the report was purified from the courtesy statements, which are existing because of diplomacy, it would be seen that the EU found the developments recorded by Turkey in democratization, economy and Cyprus inadequate.

Erdogan said, ''the EU is aware that the National Program aimed at relaxing, and even deceiving the public within the country. The government is inconsistent about Cyprus. Turkey, while signing Helsinki Final Act, knew that Southern Cyprus would be accepted to the EU. Moreover, the government signed this final act. Now that the same government speaks about paying a price if necessary. If this is not a contradition, then this is a populism directed to public. The government talks about annexation. If this is not populism, then it is cheap policy.''

Erdogan also reiterated his demand to hold a closed session in the Parliament aiming to discuss developments in Cyprus and Afghanistan.

[09] HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT OF IHD -IHD CHAIRMAN ONDUL: ''762 PEOPLE MET TORTURE AND HUMILIATING TREATMENTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2001''

Ondul, who held a news conference in IHD Headquarters, briefed about the human rights report which they prepared in connection with the first nine months of this year.

Ondul said evaluation of the European Union Commission stating that a betterment was not seen in human rights report of Turkey, was an objective evaluation despite the deficiencies, not a text full of prejudices. He defended that there was an increase in torture and violation of freedom of expression.

Claiming that torture still could not be prevented in Turkey, Ondul said 472 people in the first nine months of 1999, 508 people in 2000, and 762 people met with torture and humiliating treatment in the first nine months of the year 2001.

Ondul pointed out that amendment to Article 34 of the Constitution was a positive development.

Stressing that amendment to Article 34 of the Constitution was a positive development, Ondul said, ''however, addition of the word 'activity' instead of the world 'action' in Article 14 pertaining to freedom of expression in the Constitution does not point out a betterment in this field. Thus, it is not possible to mention an agreement to the Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.'

[10] DENKTAS-CLERIDES MEETING

Speaking at a weekly news briefing, Dirioz responded to the question pertaining to the meeting that will take place in Lefkosa on December 4.

When asked about Turkey's point of view to Denktas-Clerides meeting, Denktas said, ''TRNC President Denktas got the initiative on this issue, and invited Greek Cypriot leader Clerides to tete-a-tete meeting. Although Clerides refused it at the beginning, Mr. Denktas was not daunted and wrote a letter again. Turkey wishes a solution, which the two sides could adopt freely and with their own will, in talks in question.''

[11] STATE MINISTER GUREL DUE IN THE NETHERLANDS TO ATTEND 6TH INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS CONFERENCE

Gurel is scheduled to meet Roger van Boxtel, the Dutch Minister of Minorities and Big Cities. Gurel will also meet the representatives of Turkish community in Turkey.

The immigration movements, different policies covered by the countries regarding the entrance of foreigners, and effects of those policies on harmonization of foreigners to the community are expected to be discussed at the conference that will take place in November 26-30.

Nearly 700 representatives from 42 countries are expected to attend the conference.

[12] SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE THROUGHOUT TURKEY

Snowfall started in Istanbul as temperatures decreased on Wednesday.

Istanbul Meteorology Regional Deputy Director Mustafa Yildirim told A.A correspondent that temperatures decreased to zero degrees Celcius in the day and snow fell in Istanbul for a short time.

Yildirim said that temperatures would increase to 14-15 degrees Celcius in Istanbul together with southwestern winds on Thursday but would decrease again on Friday.

Snowfall was expected in the higher places of Istanbul at the weekend, Yildirim noted.

Meanwhile, 100 village roads were closed to traffic in Eastern Anatolia Region due to heavy snowfall.

Efforts are under way to re-open the village roads to traffic.

Also, there is snowfall in Bozkir, Seydisehir and Cumra townships of central Konya province. Snow thickness reached 15 cm in Bozkir and 5 cm in other townships.

Efforts are under way to clear highways.

Snow also fell in skiing resort Uludag the same day.

Officials of Bursa Meteorology Station said that snow thickness reached 31 cm in the skiing resort.

The officials said that snowfall was expected to end on Thursday, adding that the region would be influenced by another snowy weather by Friday.

[13] BRACKENBURRY SAYS NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY CAN RISE TO 20 MILLION

A forum named estimations for tourism in 2002 was held in southern Antalya province.

Speaking at the forum, Brackenburry noted that this depended on political stability in both Turkey and its neighbouring countries.

Brackenburry stated that Turkey generally attributes importance to hotels while half of Europe preferred to spend their holiday in apart hotels.

To this end, Turkish tourism could attract only 50 percent of European market, Brackenburry added.

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